A new initiative called The Boreal Springboard launched in Thunder Bay in October 2025 to help Northwestern Ontario’s forestry sector weather current economic challenges and spark new economic growth. Graham Bracken, The Boreal Springboard project co-ordinator, said that several partners had already been developing the framework. The recent economic difficulties resulting from the Canada – U.S. trade war made launching the initiative more urgent. “Everyone’s minds were focused by the recent tariff threats,” Bracken said. “It’s a good time to increase investment into the sector and also build out some innovation of new value-added products, and try to diversify our markets.” Partners include the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC), the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy (CRIBE), Lakehead University, and Confederation College along with industry players.